Matthew Owen Woodcock jailed over death of Suzanne Ruth Scott

A drunk driver, who had already run over and killed a Victorian woman, tried to steal a Pajero from a Qld property, mowing down its owner and delivering her body to her devastated husband.

Matthew Owen Woodcock (left) is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Finch Hatton woman Suzanne Scott on July 4, 2022.

A widower “considers his life is finished” after the love of his life was run down by a convicted killer driver trying to steal her car.

Matthew Owen Woodcock struck 69-year-old Suzanne Ruth Scott with her own car killing her almost instantly in a horror crash that rocked the Finch Hatton community.

On the afternoon of 4 July, 2022, Woodcock drank an entire bottle of whiskey before making his way down Boulder Road where the tragedy would occur.

Crown prosecutor Monique Sheppard told the Mackay District Court Woodcock saw a Mitsubishi Pajero on the property owned by Mrs Scott and her husband Kevin Scott.

He got in the car while “grossly intoxicated” and began reversing hastily down the long and narrow driveway, swerving and scraping multiple trees along the way.

Mrs Scott stepped out with her arms up telling Woodcock to stop but he failed to do so, striking and running her over in the driveway.

Boulder Rd in Finch Hatton, along which Suzanne Ruth Scott lived for several years. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Ms Sheppard said while it was accepted the hit was not deliberate, it was caused by Woodcock’s intoxication paired with his desire to flee the location.

When Woodcock realised what had occurred, he picked up the victim’s body, placing it in the back of the car before returning to Mrs Scott’s home where he located her elderly husband, telling him ‘I think I’ve run over your missus.’

Mr Scott saw his wife’s body in the car before getting in the vehicle with Woodcock to find help as there was no phone service at the property.

Woodcock drove first to a local ambulance station and then a police station, both of which were unattended, before being directed by Mr Scott to a friend’s home.

He performed CPR at the home until emergency services arrived.

Suzanne Scott was killed in her driveway

The court heard this was not the first time Woodcock had been convicted of a similar crime.

He was sentenced for culpable driving in a Victorian court after he struck and killed a pedestrian while intoxicated in 2010.

On that occasion, Woodcock was driving at excessive speed when he overtook a number of cars before losing control of his vehicle, striking the pedestrian, the court heard.

Judge Gregory Lynham said it was inconceivable, given his history, that Woodcock would ever put himself in the position where he could cause the death of another person.

The court heard part of Mr Scott’s victim impact statement where he described his life being changed forever and said he considered his life finished and did not wish to keep on living.

Suzanne Scott’s husband said his life was changed forever by the loss of Mrs Scott.

Woodcock was further charged with unlawful damage relating to an incident which occurred in the hours prior to Mrs Scott’s death.

The court heard Woodcock got into a fight with the woman he was living with before making his way to Mrs Scott’s property where he entered a shipping container and lit a fire in an attempt to keep warm.

The fire destroyed thousands of dollars of musical equipment belonging to another man who was residing at the property.

Defence barrister Scott Moon told the court Woodcock had suffered a traumatic brain injury after a serious assault in 2007 which may have impacted his decision making.

He said Woodcock’s mother noted her son was not the same person when he came home.

He also said his client was “very teary” and “extremely remorseful” when the victim impact statement was read to him and wished he could take that day back and that it never happened.

The property on Zahmel St, Finch Hatton, outside which 69-year-old Suzanne Ruth Scott was found dead in back of her Mitsubish Pajero. Picture: Janessa Ekert

He said Woodcock understood the impact he had not only on Mrs Scott’s family but also the community and his own family.

His mother, who hung her head as the Judge spoke, and stepfather were in the courtroom during the sentencing.

Judge Lynham said it was understandable Mrs Scott stepped out in an attempt to stop her vehicle from being stolen.

He said Mr Scott had suffered great trauma at the loss of his soulmate.

“It must have been the most devastating news to have you drive the vehicle back up to his house,” he said.

“They were beyond tragic circumstances.

“Those circumstances should never have eventuated because you never should have been wandering the bush and deciding to steal the deceased’s car in the first place.”

Woodcock pleaded guilty to unlawful damage, use of a motor vehicle without consent, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.

He was sentenced to eight years in jail with a parole eligibility date of November 26 and disqualified from holding a driver's licence.

Originally published as Matthew Owen Woodcock jailed over death of Suzanne Ruth Scott